Electric plug



Aug. 9, 1938. l. L. MEANS 2,126,494

` ELECTRIC PLUG Filed April 16, 1957 2 sneetsheez 1 Aug 9, 1938. l. l.. MEANS 2,126,494 y ELECTRIC PLUG- Filed Agsril 16, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 forneys By? i Patented Aug. 9, 193s ELECTRIC PLUG Irvin L. Means, Waukegan, lll., assigner of onehalf to Adolph Gerlich, Waukegan, lll.

Application Aprii is, 193i, serian No. 131,351

l 2 Claims.

This invention appertains to new and useful improvements in electrical connectors and more particularly to a plug.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an electric plug having means whereby the same cannot become readily disconnected from the socket.

Another important object of the invention.- is to provide an electric plug in combination with de-s tent means whereby the plug can be disconnected when the detent means is manually operated. As a safety measure, the plug is so constructed that it can be disconnected witha hard pull on the cord. y

These and various other important objects and advantages of the invention will become appar-J ent to the reader of the following specification.

In the drawings: k

Figure 1 represents 'a longitudinal sectional view through the plug.

Figure 2 is a section on line 2 2 of Figure l with the plate removed.

' Figure 3 is a section on line 3 3? of Figure l.

Figure i is a perspective view of the prongs assembly.

Figure is a perspective view of one of the prongs. Y

Figure 6 is a perspective View of the closure.

Referring in the drawings wherein like numerals designate like parts, it can be seen that the plug consists of the hollow shell 5 of insulation having the restricted neck portion d which serves as a ll'iandleand short conduit for the cord (not shown).

Situated in the shell 5 is the transversely disposed partition l having the centralI opening d through which the conductor wires extend to the binding screws 9 9. Numeral Ill denotes a closure plate held in thef open end of shell 5 by the internal circumferential rim II and this plate lll is provided with the slots I2 therein through which the prongs I3 extend. These prongs each consist of an elongated spring wire member bent to provide the leg A and the longer leg B, each of which is serrated or otherwise roughened as at C. The leg A has its free end portion bent to form theeye I4 and further formed to define a second eye at I5; A rivet I6 is employed and disposed through each of the eyes I5 for securing the prongs I3 to the partition] and binding screws I9 for the conductor wires (not shown) arc disposed through the eyes I4 and into .the partition l. p

The eyes I4--I5 are disposed from the leg A in such a manner as to support the leg A- in such a position as to be substantially at right angles to the planeof the partition 'I' while the leg B is diverged inwardly of the leg A and is bent laterally at its free end to provide the lug I1.

The legs B-B extend through the openings 8 5 of the partition 'l and bear against the 4cross member EB of the slider i9, the reduced portion of which slides through an opening 20 in the side of the shell 5. Lugs 2I-2I at the ends of the cross member Id prevent displacement of the legs B-B from the head I8. Furthermore, the tension of the legs B-B serve to normallyA 'urge the cross member IB snugly against the inside of the shell 5.

It can now be seen, that the plug can be connested with a socket by disposing the prongs `I3 into the openings of the socket. The legs B will contract under tension toward the legs A and it is practically impossible to remove the plug easily unless the slider it is forced inwardly to further press the legs B.B towards the legs A. When this 'action of the slider is executed the prongs of the plugY can readily be removed from the socket.

While the -foregoing specification sets forth the invention in specic terms, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the' shape, size and materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter. 30

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

L An electric plug comprising a hollow shell, a transversely disposed plate of insulation in the shell, said plate having a. centralized opening therein, a pair of lll-shaped spring prongs, each ofthe said prongs having one of its legs longer than the other, the shorter legs of -the prongs being secured to the outside of the said plate, the longer legs extending Ythrough the centralized opening and provided with lateral short. forma.- tions at their free ends in close spaced relation to the inner side of said plate, a slider extending through a slot in the wall of the shell, said slider having a broad inner end portion for abutment with thel longer leg members of the U-shaped prongs at a point between the innerside of the plate and the lateral formations of the longer legs. v

2. An electric plug comprising a hollow shell, a transversely disposed plate of insulation in the shell, said plate having. a centralized opening therein, a pair of U-shaped spring prongs, each of the said prongs having one of its legs longer than the other, the shorter legs of the prongs having a. broad inner end portion for abutment with the longer leg members of the U-shaped prongs at a point between the inner side ot the plate and the lateral formations ot the longer legs, the broad end portion of the slider being provided with narrow transversely spaced extensions between which the said slider.

IRVIN L. MEANS.

prongs abut the 5 

